This is a family friendly blog for those who love dolls and toys. The blog is a forum for all apsects of doll history, doll collecting, and doll making. It is the first step in creating a nonprofit doll center to educate the public about the historical role that dolls, the oldest human cultural artifact, play in the the lives of people all over the world. All excerpts are the author's intellectual property and may not be reproduced in any means withoutreceiving permission from the author.

My husband led me to a fantastic Victorian doll house yesterday. After we chatted with a great couple who built it, we came home with VanV...

Sand Baby Castaways

Courtesy, Glenda Rolle the Artist

PM Dolls

Leo Moss

German Dolls

Formerly, Aunt Len's.

Beecher Doll

Graces cover of Lenon Hoyte Auction, Aunt Len's

Foreign Dolls

Pryor Collection

Pryor Doll Collection

In Dec. 1959 Natl. Geographic

Great Book

Edward VI's Doll, 1540

Formerly, Helen Moe Doll Museum

Rare "frozen metal doll" Mannikin Pis

Courtesy, eBay Eilleen, Finder 27

Vintage Japanese Doll Joins our Museum Family

Courtesy, Southern Soldier Antiques

Rare Frozen Charlotte Type

A Pageant of Dolls

By Lesley Gordon, 1948

Hong Kong Lili

Barbie Stamp

An early Vintage Barbie

Bild Lili

Zinc Bodied Rohmer

Caused a suit between Mme. Rohmer and Mlle. Huret

Metal Dydee Baby

17th century Lead Dolls

England

Doll Shaped Mold

cf Dolls and Puppets by von Boehn

Metal Head

Probably Minerva

Black Metal Head

Russian Nesting Doll Charm

18 inch Metal Head

Mlle Bleuette

14th C Munich Clay Doll

Used as Bapitsmal Gifts

Halopeau artists rendering

Toy maker

Restored dolls

L to R: All vinyl mid-60s, Ragggedy Ann, handmade, new arms and clothes, Barbie Type as Elizabeth Short, The Black Dahlia. Black Felt Dress, white silk flowers and ribbons. She is in one piece, but with a swivel waist that does snap in two!

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Saturday, June 7, 2014

12 Display Tips for your Dolls; a Guest Post

Our guest blogger is Kristin McWharter of Theriault's, the famous doll auction company. This is an illustrated piece, with wonderful photos, all courtesy of Theriault's.com.
Displaying dolls can be one of the most rewarding and most challenging aspects to collecting. A creative and engaging display draws viewers in and transforms an otherwise overlooked doll into a true treasure. Here are 12 tips on how to leave a lasting impression with a display that showcases the best assets of your collection.

1. Tell a story
The most dynamic and interesting displays are those that tell a story in the minds of their viewers. Start with a theme. Whether it’s a holiday, a color palette, or a certain feeling, find a narrative that takes your display a step further. Choosing your dolls and accessories based on the story you want them to tell breathes new life into your collection, and keeps your viewer engaged.

2. Create Levels
Before you begin arranging your dolls, make a note of where eye level is, usually around 5ft. This is where your viewer is most naturally inclined to focus their attention and will emphasize key details. Then build your display with a variety of heights and depths, keeping your main focal points around eye level. By doing this, you allow the viewer’s eye to move around the room, making your display more dynamic, while still showcasing what’s important. Pyramids made of props and pedestals work great, as do vertically stacking shelves and display cabinets.

3. Keep it clean
You don’t want to clutter your display; remember less is more. Too many objects can be visually difficult to read and your items can get lost (defeating the purpose of displaying them in the first place). If you have a large number of dolls and objects, simplify your design by organizing them based on size or color. Create small “vignettes” or focal points that allow your viewer to focus in on a few dolls rather than find themselves overwhelmed.

4. Focal points and patterns
As viewers we are attracted to pattern, so use it to your advantage while creating your displays. Dolls and objects of similar colors, shapes, and sizes can be arranged to move the eye around the room or to emphasize a certain focal point. Play with asymmetry and irregularity to highlight certain items. For example, grouping many red objects alongside one blue object will fix the eye upon the object that is breaking the pattern, making the blue item particularly noticeable to the viewer. Patterns also give your display an overall sense of aesthetic design and appeal.

5. Be bold
Avoid the predictable. Incorporate unexpected items and contrasting colors to create a sense of whimsy in your display. Small visual surprises make your design entertaining and draw the viewer in. Have an area that’s a bit boring? Add a bouquet of silk flowers or an oversized prop to make it more interesting.

6. Strike a pose
They are dolls after all. Don’t be afraid of posing them with a little personality!

7. What are your dolls looking at?
What direction your dolls are facing can be just as important as where you place them. Imagine that every doll you have displayed is angled to be facing a certain corner of the room. Suddenly that corner becomes a character in your display as viewers turn to see what all the dolls are staring at! Use the glance of your dolls to your advantage to highlight a focal point, create pattern, or emphasize your theme.

8. Incorporate a backdrop
The color of your wall might not be the best color or texture to accent your display. Incorporating a backdrop can be a useful tool to add drama and cohesion to your design. Hanging colored paper or a panel of fabric can be a quick and easy way to create an environment for your dolls. You can even place a painting or poster behind your dolls to create a sense of landscape and mise en scene!

9. Domes and Display Cabinets
Not only are they protective, but domes and display cabinets can be a great opportunity to give smaller dolls the attention they deserve. Isolate a few dolls within their own mini display scene, and observe how small gestures and details can really stand out within a larger display and feel truly magical.

10. Remember your theme
It’s easy to get distracted by small details or get carried away on a tangent, so take a moment to remember your theme. A clear and concise story makes your display more engaging and is a great strategy to prevent your design from becoming too cluttered or overwhelming. Every now and then take a step back and look at your display from a distance. Is your theme clear? Does it grab your attention? Don’t be afraid to go back and change what’s not working.

11. Let there be light
Good lighting can be one of the best ways to make your dolls really stand out. Highlight your best dolls and objects using spotlighting, or create a special tone and ambiance by incorporating a soft colored light. With so many fixtures and bulbs available, the possibilities are plentiful. However, not taking light into consideration could result in unattractive shadows, or worse, fading. Protect your dolls from bright windows and light sources that could be harmful, and instead control the lighting to showcase their best features.

12. Be creative
Let your imagination run wild. Building displays can be one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of collecting. Change your displays every few months to try out new ideas and spotlight different dolls. Move things around, experiment, try something different, and most importantly, have fun.
Founded in 1970 Theriault’s specializes exclusively in the appraisal and auction of antique dolls and childhood ephemera. The firm's offices and cataloging center are headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and the company hosts live auctions in major cities throughout the United States.
For more information please visit www.Theriaults.com